What to Look For Tonight

A battle of contrasting styles will ensue in Seattle. Without fullback Mack Strong (retired last month with a neck injury) and with halfback Shaun Alexander out (told ESPN he wouldn’t play tonight with his knee and neck injuries) and with a developing offensive line, the Seahawks will likely emphasize the pass, particularly early.

Without deep threat Deion Branch (foot), who caught seven passes for 130 yards against the 49ers in September, Seattle will likely feature a short, quick passing game in an up temp offense. Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck thrives in such a scheme, so it will be up to the 49ers to disrupt him with a variety of looks and plenty of man-press coverage. Expect the 49ers to play their corners up and their safeties back to ward against the long pass. Linebackers may also play more man.

Alexander’s absence could be advantageous to Seattle, because replacement Maurice Morris is a quicker receiving threat and the 49ers have struggled covering backs particularly in the flats.

Meanwhile, the 49ers will probably pound the running game.

New Wrinkle

In their constant battle to play faster on offense, quarterback Alex Smith plans to wear a wristband with the playlist on it. Now, instead of repeating a long play three times – from offensive coordinator Jim Hostler in the booth to quarterbacks coach Frank Cignetti on the sidelines to Smith in the huddle, Hostler will just relay a number to Smith through Cignetti. Smith will then check the play with the corresponding number on his wrist band and call the play.

“We’ll see what happens,” Smith said during the week. “It could speed things up.”

Expect plenty of run plays to be on that wristband. The emphasis all week was on being physical in practice, which the 49ers hope will transfer to the game. The Seahawks are swift but undersized on defense and will probably be without linebacker Leroy Hill, who’s listed as doubtful because of a hamstring issue.

The question hovering over the offense is Frank Gore’s fitness to play. He’s listed as questionable with a sprained ankle. He fully participated in Saturday’s practice, so it will depend on how he recovers from that.

Pressure Situation

The Seahawks completely surprised the 49ers in San Francisco with a blitz-mad scheme. At times they brought seven defenders by overloading one side, which allowed former 49er linebacker Julian Peterson an unfettered path to Trent Dilfer. Smith must be aware of this blitz. With seven rushers, there aren’t enough blockers, meaning that Smith has to get shorter in his drop and throw short.

The offensive line, meanwhile, has to “Get Big” by trying to at least get a hand on the unblocked man. The offensive line has played much better against the blitz the last two games, including last week’s loss in Atlanta. Smith went back to pass 40 times and the Falcons blitzed on at least 20 of those attempts (I missed one play when my recording of the game cutoff for some reason) Smith was sacked twice and Mike Nolan called the first one a “miscommunication.” On the play, fullback Moran Norris went inside, when he probably should have stayed outside to help tackle Adam Snyder with defensive end John Abraham.

On a seven-man blitz on third down in the fourth quarter, Maurice Hicks failed to pick up safety Lawyer Malloy’s rush up the middle. Smith had no chance and threw incomplete.

One remedy is to make Michael Robinson the third-down back. The former quarterback was stunningly good picking up the blitz last week.

Dick Nolan

Nolan

A grieving Mike Nolan will lead his team tonight. His father Dick passed yesterday morning at age 75 with prostate cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. We offer our condolences. Don’t be surprised if Nolan wears his dad’s 1956 New York Giants’ championship ring in honor of him. Mike Nolan wore it in his first game as the 49ers coach – a win over the Rams to open the 2005 season. Come to think of it, Dick Nolan probably wore in his first home game as the 49ers coach – a 35-17 victory against the Rams in 1968.